Flag and beef differences plague BJP-PDP alliance

On New Year's eve, when former J&K Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was battling for his life, a division bench of the high court stayed a single-judge order over hoisting of the J&K state flag. The verdict came after an appeal was filed by BJP leader Farooq Khan, triggering a fresh controversy between the Peoples Democratic Party and the BJP.

The PDP says the BJP had no business to file an appeal in the HC over the state flag. "It was not the only time the BJP violated coalition dharma. They did it earlier as well. But the timing of the appeal was inappropriate," a senior PDP leader said.

BJP's state spokesperson and senior lawyer Sunil Sethi justified the decision to file an appeal. He told Mail Today the PDP-BJP alliance was not for disturbing the existing laws. He says the appeal was filed as the bench had given certain observations against the existing constitutional position. "We didn't file the appeal to seek an alteration in the existing constitutional position. The court gave the stay and the position was maintained," Sethi said.

Farooq Khan told Mail Today he would respond once the PDP comes up with a statement over the issue.

The second legal tussle happened on September 8, 2015 when the Jammu bench of the HC issued an order directing the J&K police chief to ensure that there is no sale of beef in the state and to take strict action in accordance with law against those who indulge in it. The HC issued order on a petition filed by a BJP leader.

Even though the beef is not consumed in the valley, BJP leaders taking the issue to the court and the court directions evoked protests in Kashmir against the order.

The high court ruling was construed as an interference in religion causing embarrassment to the PDP.